noun
Uncommon
halo
Halo (noun) means a circle of light shown around the head of a holy figure in art. Example: “The painting depicted the saint with a golden halo.”
noun
1
A circle of light shown around the head of a holy figure in art.
"The painting depicted the saint with a golden halo."
"In the church window, the angel has a bright halo above its head."
"The artist painted a thin halo around the figure's head."
2
A ring of light around the sun or moon, or a similar glowing ring.
"A faint halo surrounded the moon that night."
"We saw a large halo around the sun on the cold morning."
"A pale halo of light shone around the lamp in the mist."
verb
1
To surround with a ring of light.
"Streetlights haloed the foggy square."
"The setting sun haloed the mountain peaks with gold."
"Candles haloed the cake as the family sang."
How to use halo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA glowing ring — literally around light sources, or figuratively as a symbol of holiness or perfect reputation.
Common mistake
"Halo effect" is a psychology term for judging someone positively overall just because of one good trait — it doesn't need to involve actual light.
Common pairings
angelic halo
halo effect
halo around the moon
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- haloes
- Past tense
- haloed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The painting depicted the saint with a golden _____.
Etymology
A clipping of Halotestin.
Related words
Rhymes for halo
See all rhymes for halo →Frequently asked questions
What does “halo” mean?
The word “halo” means a circle of light shown around the head of a holy figure in art. In plain terms, a glowing ring — literally around light sources, or figuratively as a symbol of holiness or perfect reputation.
How do you use “halo” in a sentence?
Here is “halo” used in a sentence: “The painting depicted the saint with a golden halo.”
What part of speech is “halo”?
Depending on how it is used, “halo” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “halo” a common word?
“Halo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “halo” have?
“Halo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a circle of light shown around the head of a holy figure in art.
What is the difference between a halo and an aureole?
A halo is a circle of light shown specifically around the head of a holy figure, while an aureole (or nimbus) can refer to a similar glow surrounding the whole body, not just the head. In everyday use, though, halo is the more common term for any glowing ring in religious art.
Can halo be used as a verb?
Yes, halo can function as a verb meaning to surround something with a ring of light, as in "the streetlamp haloed the falling snow." This usage is less common than the noun form but is recognised in standard dictionaries.
What is a halo around the sun or moon called?
That optical effect is often simply called a halo, describing a ring of light around the sun or moon caused by atmospheric conditions. The term is the same word used for the religious symbol, extended to describe any similar glowing ring.
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